Best quotes from Detroit Pistons' news conference

New coach Maurice Cheeks, on the job: "I'm excited to be here. The tradition of the Pistons is something I've known for a long time. Joe (Dumars) played while I played - along with Isiah (Thomas) and I just want to get to the tradition that those guys started while we were playing and while they were playing. I'm just looking forward to it. It's a challenge."

Cheeks, on the Pistons' big men: "Young big guys, they can play. There are not a lot of big guys in the league, but you have big guys here. You can throw the ball to them and post them up and they will command some attention and you can spread the ball to some shooters."

Cheeks, on the talent "This team has a lot of young talent. You have players who just have to be honed."

Cheeks, on guards Brandon Knight and Rodney Stuckey: "I'm not going to label Brandon as just a point guard. You have Stuckey who can also play some point guard. Can he just be a point guard? I don't think so. I think he can be a 1 or a 2 and Stuckey can. Certainly my expertise will be in that area of molding someone to a certain position."

Dumars, team president, on why the coaching change: "We were not winning and we didn't see the prospects that we were getting better. We weren't trending in the right direction."

Dumars, on Cheeks' qualifications: "I think you try to hire the best person for your particular team or particular situation. It doesn't become a popularity contest. It becomes who can best connect with your team and your players."

Dumars, on selling the Pistons' opening: "There were coaches that we didn't go with that really wanted the job so it wasn't like we had to go out and sell it."

Dumars, on team owner Tom Gores: "He wants to win. He has never wavered on that."

Dumars, on whether he was insulted by Phil Jackson's consulting role: "No. If I was that easily insulted, I wouldn't be standing here (with the media) right now so I'm not easily insulted. I roll with it. K.I.M. - keep it moving."

Forward Jonas Jerebko, on Cheeks saying players have to be accountable: "It doesn't bother me at all. We're professional basketball players. He should demand that and he should get that from everybody."

Jerebko, on the change: "I'm just excited. I'm excited for a change, I'm excited for when camp starts. I'm excited to see what the team looks like. I'm just trying to stay in shape, work out and get ready for the season. I'm very excited for a fresh beginning and it's going to be fun."

Jerebko, on the last year's 29-53 season: "It was tough. It was up and down. I got to play at the end of the season, start of the season. It was tough, but it's behind me now and I'm looking forward to next season."

Jerebko, on having his third coach in four years: "We can tell here, he's going to demand respect, and that's something we need in Detroit. He's a great fit for our young team."

Guard Kim English, on Cheeks: "As a coach in Philly, I remember his teams and how tough they were and even in Oklahoma City, how he handled (Russell) Westbrook and Eric Maynor and (Kevin) Durant and all those really good guards. They spoke so highly of him. Hearing that just makes me really excited to get to work."

English, on being eager to go: "I ran over here from the gym sweating right now. I'm ready to go yesterday."